Stewards Report

PENRITH 12/02/2026

 

 

Stewards	N Moy (Chairman), T Sharwood & B Day
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & Dr T Drayton
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast/ Showery

 

 

RACE 1 – HEARTS & HOOVES PACE – 1720 metres

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

IMXTRASPECIAL – Pre-race sample.

PALATINO NZ – Post-race sample.

SHEVCHENKO – Jostled with SLYX NZ in the home straight on the final occasion.

PETES BIG JIM – Held up and unable to be fully tested for racing room over the concluding stages.

ALLORNOTHINGLEVI – Held up for clear racing room rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

SLYX NZ – Jostled with SHEVCHENKO in the home straight on the final occasion.

 

RACE 2 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 2125 metres

General – The All Clear was delayed allowing Stewards the opportunity to view the replays in relation to OKAY GRINGO obtaining an inside run along the marker pegs leaving the 1200m. Upon review of the replays and evidence it was established that TOOLIJOOA BEACH (leader) and MAGNETIC STORM, which was trailing the leader, marginally shifted out allowing a slight run for OKAY GRINGO to be positioned into and progress forward. Stewards were satisfied that OKAY GRINGO in completing this run did not gain any advantage by racing inside the line of marker pegs and All Clear was announced.

MAGNETIC STORM – Pre-race sample. Inconvenienced and shifted wider at the 1200m when OKAY GRINGO progressed forward along the marker pegs. Contacted the near side sulky wheel of ZAYNES TIGER when placed in restricted racing room at the 1000m.  

TOOLIJOOA BEACH – Post-race sample. Inconvenienced at the 1200m when OKAY GRINGO progressed forward along the marker pegs.

MERRYWOOD ROSIE – Inconvenienced at the 1200m when OKAY GRINGO progressed forward along the marker pegs.

ZAYNES TIGER – Inconvenienced at the 1200m when OKAY GRINGO progressed forward along the marker pegs. Sustained a flat near side sulky tyre at the 1000m, when MAGNETIC STORM, was placed into restricted racing room and made contact.

ALWAYS PROMISE ME NZ – Inconvenienced at the 1200m when OKAY GRINGO progressed forward along the marker pegs. Held up for clear racing room over the final stages and unable to be fully tested.

OKAY GRINGO – Obtained a narrow run along the marker pegs at the 1200m, when TOOLIJOOA BEACH and MAGNETIC STORM marginally shifted their racing line. Driver L Bucca pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 149(2) which reads, a person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable. The particulars of the charge being: After the field had established their racing positions Mr Bucca permitted OKAY GRINGO to improve to the inside of MAGNETIC STORM approaching the turn shortly after passing the 1200 metres, which resulted in MAGNETIC STORM, TOOLIJOOA BEACH, ZAYNES TIGER, MERRYWOOD ROSIE and ALWAYS PROMISE ME being checked to varying degrees. Furthermore, shortly after passing the 500 metres Mr Bucca directed OKAY GRINGO to the inside of TOOLIJOOA BEACH and commenced to drive with vigour where there was insufficient room to do so, resulting in OKAY GRINGO racing over the line of marker pegs and subsequently pacing roughly. Mr Bucca had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 28 days. In assessing penalty, the panel was mindful of the guilty plea, the driving record of Mr Bucca, the circumstances and the varying interference caused to runners. The suspension was ordered to commence midnight 21 February 2026.

PELIGROSO – Hung in under pressure over the final 200m.

 

RACE 3 – VALENTINES DAY FEB 14 PACE – 1720 metres

General – Due to CAPTAIN DAN NZ falling to the track at the winning post and the positioning of that runner on the outside fence, the fall siren was sounded when the remainder of the field were in the vicinity of the 600m. Due to the distance travelled in the event the race was abandoned and all monies invested refunded.

GREY CADILLAC – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having in excess of 200 race starts and being 12 years of age. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

MADAZALWAYS – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

CAPTAIN DAN NZ – Pre-race sample. Pulled hard in the score up and in the early stages of the event. Galloped at the 1000m checking CROWN MOJO, which galloped. Was retired from the event before falling to the track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have had a bilateral nosebleed. As this was the geldings second offence acting under Rule 101(3)(b), CAPTIAN DAN NZ was stood down from racing for life. 

FLO RYDA NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

CROWN MOJO – Checked and galloped at the 1000m when CAPTAIN DAN NZ galloped.

 

RACE 4 – MONSTER TRUCKS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND FEB 21 PACE – 2125 metres

TIL HEAVENS ROCKN NZ – Hung in under pressure and contacted marker pegs at various stages over the final lap.

CERISE RAINBOW – Post-race sample.

NOSAER – Pre-race sample. Galloped after the start and was placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – SKY RACING ACTIVE – 1720 metres

GRAYSON RED – Raced in restricted room at the 100m when FIRE FOX NZ hung out and contacted a nearside leg of GRAYSON RED. Checked and galloped as a result.

ALWAYS THUNDER – Pre-race sample.

AMERICAN HAMMER NZ – Held up over the final stages and unable to be fully tested at any stage to the finish.

FIRE FOX NZ – Held up for clear racing room over the final stagse and unable to be fully tested at any stage to the finish. Hung out and checked GRAYSON RED, which galloped as a result.

KING TIGER – Post-race sample.

CAULONIA COURAGE – Galloped after the start checking JALANEEL, which also galloped. CAULONIA COURAGE was placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Trailed the field for the entire.

JALANEEL – Severely checked after the start and galloped when CAULONIA COURAGE galloped. Trailed the field for the entire.

 

RACE 6 – HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1720 metres

RAINBOWSEND – Driver Z Fitzpatrick was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for tightening the racing room of FORESIGHT at the 200m.

ROCKINDOWNUNDER – Galloped out from the mobile barrier and a warning was issued. THREEBUSHELSOFOATS was inconvenienced.

TIGER EUPHEME – Pre-race sample.

FORESIGHT – Tightened and contacted a marker peg at the 200m due to RAINBOWSEND being directed inwards.

MIZZZ ADELE – Post-race sample.

THREEBUSHELSOFOATS – Inconvenienced after the start when ROCKINDOWNUNDER galloped.

 

RACE 7 – BINGO @ CLUBPACEWAY EVERY WEDNESDAY PACE – 1720 metres

PEPPI GRATZ – Galloped racing around the first turn and a warning was issued.

OLLIE ONE SHOT – Hung in and paced roughly at the 700m.

JANELLE MAY – Inconvenienced racing around the first turn when PEPPI GRATZ galloped.

ROCK ASSEST – Pre-race sample. Post-race sample.

 

RACE 8 – MARKETS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND EVERY THURSDSAY PACE – 1720 metres

BIRDY GAL – Driver B Portelli was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for shifting ground outwards leaving the back straight on the final occasion, which momentarily inconvenienced BO DUKE NZ.

BO DUKE NZ – Tightened and inconvenienced leaving the back straight on the final occasion when BIRDY GAL, shifted wider on the track.

LOOKIN GOOD MARGIE – Pre-race sample. Was presented on-course 4 hours prior to race time in accordance with the elevated TCO2 policy.

SHE WHO DARES – Post-race sample.

 

RACE 9 – MAJOR OAK THEATRE RESTURANT RETURN MARCH 3YO PACE – 1720 metres

CAPTIANS DELIGHT – Pre-race sample.

BELLAMYS BLAST – Post-race sample.

FORTUNA STRIDE – (6^th position/ $1.70 fav/ 18.9m) Driver A Delosa stated that herself and connections were disappointed with the performance of FORTUNA STRIDE and added that the stable may look at giving the filly a short break from racing. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 6 – Z Fitzpatrick – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) Race 8 – B Portelli – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Race 2 – L Bucca – Rule 149(2) – 4 weeks
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – Captain Dan NZ – SDLIFE Race 4 – Nosaer – ODM Race 5 – Caulonia Courage – ODM
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil